Alexithymia, Emotional Regulation, and Mental Health Outcomes in Young Females Facing Gender Discrimination

Abstract

This study looked into Alexithymia as a predictor of Mental Health Emotional Regulation in Young 

Female Facing gender discrimination in Pakistan. In this study a sample of 450 young female, aged 16 to 

22, using a purposive sampling method. The participants filled out the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-

20), DASS-21, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and the Perceived Gender Discrimination Scale. The study conducted descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression analyses to explore the relationships among the study variables. The correlation results revealed significant links between the dimensions of alexithymia and various mental health indicators. However, the regression analyses indicated that alexithymia did not significantly predict perceived gender discrimination or stress, and it showed only weak to moderate predictive power for other mental health outcomes and emotional regulation. These findings imply that while alexithymia is connected to emotional and psychological functioning, it doesn't independently predict mental health or experiences of discrimination in this group. This study adds to the existing literature by delving into alexithymia in the context of South Asian culture, shedding light on the intricate relationship between how emotions are processed and the experiences of discrimination. It also discusses important implications for mental health professionals, suggests directions for future research, and offers policy recommendations.